John W. Manley
Sergeant
Anti-Tank Co., 38th Infantry
United States Army
1942-1947

Purple Heart

     John W. Manley was the son of Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Manley. He was born in Whitten, but grew up in Cherry Valley and claimed it as his home town.  Before joining the armed forces he worked in Marked Tree.  He completed eight years of  school in schools around Cherry Valley.  
   His career in the Army began 15 August 1942 in Little Rock, Arkansas and with training at camps in California, Texas, Maryland and England before entering battles in France, Belgium and Germany. He took part in conflicts at Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes and Central Europe. Artillery shrapnel caused the loss of his right arm at Bonnenburg, Germany, on April 12, 1945. He was returned to the States 18 days later  for hospitalization at McCliskey General in Temple, Texas; O'Reilly General in Springfield, Missouri; William Beaumont General at El Paso, Texas; and finally Percy Jones General at Battle Creek, Michigan.
    An ex-sergeant with an anti-tank Company of the 38th Infantry; Manley served 11 months, 8 days overseas and 4 years, 21 days stateside, receiving his separation from the service August 12, 1947.
    The war veteran's decorations include the Purple Heart, Combat Infantry Badge, Good Conduct Medal, American Theater, Presidential Citation with cluster, European Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon, five Bronze Battle Stars and then the World War II Victory Medal. He was the first Cross County Veteran to receive the Victory Medal. This announcement was made by M/Sgt E. V. Pry of the Army and Airforce Recruiting Station in Forrest City who made the presentation, Saturday, October 25,1947.   Manley posed for a picture in his uniform at the Cities Service Station where he was employed.

     In December of 1945 he married the former Geneva Walls and they were the parents of one son, John William, Jr ., and two daughters, Linda and Judy.

      John William Manley, Sr. died 29 January 1996 and was buried in Akins Cemetery.

                                                                    15 July 2002   //1/